Komen News: Congress Approves Omnibus Spending Bill With Key Breast Cancer Provisions
Congress Approves Omnibus Spending Bill With Key Breast Cancer Provisions
On January 22, 2004, the U.S. Senate passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2004 (HR 2673), sending the bill to President Bush for signature. The $820 billion omnibus spending package contains several key provisions related to breast cancer research and screening:
• Funding for cancer research and programs, including $209.7 million for the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP)
• Reauthorization of the Breast Cancer Research Stamp (BCRS) for an additional two years
• Funding of $500,000 for an Institute of Medicine (IOM) study to evaluate the results of the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA), including access to and quality of mammography screening
Funding for Cancer Research and Programs
NBCCEDP provides breast and cervical cancer screening, outreach, and case management services for low-income women with little or no health insurance. This successful program has screened nearly two million women nationally and diagnosed over 14,000 cases of breast cancer. Additionally, the bill provides funding of $27.8 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), $4.7 billion for the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and $191.6 million for the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD).
Reauthorization of the Breast Cancer Research Stamp
The BCRS, which had expired on December 31, 2003, is among the most successful commemorative stamps of all time. Since the BCRS became available in July 1998, Americans across the country have purchased nearly half a billion stamps, generating more than $34.5 million for breast cancer research. The Komen Foundation commends Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) for successfully championing the reauthorization of the Breast Cancer Research Stamp.
Funding for an Institute of Medicine (IOM) Study
In 1992, Congress recognized the importance of high quality mammography screening by enacting the MQSA, which established national standards of mammography care.The Komen Foundation is working with Members of Congress to refine the MQSA to promote improvements in the quality of image interpretation, as well as access to quality mammography services by ensuring the recruitment and retention of adequately trained personnel. The IOM study will help guide recommendations for improving the MQSA. The Komen Foundation commends Senator Barbara Mikulski for her long-standing commitment to breast cancer and thanks her for her efforts to include provisions for the IOM study.
The Komen Foundation - Public Policy Efforts
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and its grassroots network of volunteers were instrumental in advocating these key breast cancer provisions. Komen Champions for the Cure™ is a public policy grassroots program that was designed to educate Congress, the President, policymakers, Komen Affiliates, and the public about what they can do to make a difference in breast cancer policy.
Join the Komen Foundation in its public policy efforts through the Komen Foundation's public policy Web site, www.ActNowEndBreastCancer.org. You can become a Komen eChampion, send an email to Members of Congress and learn more about Komen's public policy priorities.
